Companion Bill: SB 1298 by Senator Hegar
Summary
HB 1926 (Open States or Texas Legislature) enacts an online course access program for Texas, heavily utilizing the state virtual school network, which will act as a marketplace for high-quality online courses that have gone through an approval process. It expands student eligibility from only high school students to grades 6-12 and allows those students to take up to three courses online, funded by utilizing per-pupil funding, with a cap of $400 per course, directed toward the individual course provider of their choice.
Legislative Analysis
Student Eligibility
Students in grade levels 6 and above are eligible to enroll in up to three courses per year, funded on a per-courses basis by their school district or open-enrollment charter school. Schools have the option of not paying for more than three courses a year, but a student can enroll if they pay for it themselves.
With a few notable exceptions, schools will no longer be able to prohibit students from enrolling in an approved course through the state virtual school network. However, the legislation restricts the number of courses permitted per year to three and does not allow elementary students to participate in the program. The legislation also gives districts the authority to deny students the opportunity from enrolling courses online if they offer a substantially similar course. Districts are also given discretion over which provider students must take for a particular course, not the student or parent.
Estimated number of students who will now have access to this program: 2,510,192.*
*(2012-2013 enrollment numbers for grades 6-12)
Provider Eligibility
The bill broadens the definition of entities eligible to provide courses. Private and non-profit providers, along with districts and institutions of higher education, are now eligible to apply to be included in the state virtual school network. Also eligible are any entities that provide online professional development.
Only school districts and open enrollment charter schools may award credit. Providers are also prohibited from offering any inducements for signing up.
Provider Approval Process
The course provider approval process will be expanded to occur throughout the year on a rolling basis as providers apply, instead of only one set period during a year. This will ease the burden on the department, spreading the approvals throughout the year instead of being flooding with applications at one time. It will also ease the burden for providers, allowing them to enter the market as their services become ready, instead of waiting up to a year before being approved.
Clear requirements and a clear timeline for the approval process will be made available. Courses available through the state virtual school network will be assigned course numbers. Courses must be listed on a statewide clearinghouse.
Course providers can appeal to the Commissioner if they are denied.
State Reciprocity
The administering authority is permitted to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to fast track course approvals. The courses will still need to meet the rigor of courses approved through the traditional approval process, but will be able to go through an expedited process for inclusion in the state virtual school network.
Funding
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools use existing funds to pay for courses their students take through other providers. Funding is limited to up to three courses per student each year.
The prices for courses through the state virtual school network are capped at $400 with no flexibility for courses that may require a higher price to operate. There is a wide range of course designs and options that may not be able to participate in this program due to this limitation. For example, some online courses, including many Advanced Placement courses, may cost the provider more to operate. Other courses may provide lab equipment or Internet-enabled devices and connectivity as part of the offering.
Parent Notification
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools are required to notify parents about student eligibility to take an online course. This notification must be sent to parents at least once per year.
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements will be expanded and linked to courses, providing the public and potential students course success rates and course requirements, which will better inform parents, students, and schools on which courses would be a good use of their time and money. The Commissioner is also charged with assessing Internet access for each district. This is needed to better evaluate the capabilities of schools as online learning, blended learning, and online assessments require more of the technology.
Legislative History
House Vote: Ayes=140 Nays=1 Present Not Voting=3 Absent=0
Date: 5/26/2013
Senate Vote: Ayes=26 Nays=5
Date: 5/26/2013
Detailed Legislative Vote: Legiscan | Open States
Enacted Without Governor Rick Perry (R) Signature on 6/14/2013